Talbot's Angles

the broader bay. The arms of one or two ancient windmills, which had been moving lazily in the breeze, made a few rotations and then stopped, showing themselves dark objects against a glowing

the fairer by contrast. Her eyes were downcast so that one could not discern their depth of violet blue, but one could note the long black lashes, the well-shaped brows and the rounded chin. Just now her lips were compressed so the lines of her mouth could not be determined upon. She walked slowly, never once raising her eyes toward the sparkling creek and the sunset sky. But once beyond the gate opening from the lane, she stood

way of the porch. An old colored woman was picking crabs at a table near the window. "Gwine give yuh some crab cakes fo' suppah, Miss Lindy," she announced, looking up. "Dark ketch me fo'

ammy," said Linda,

Lindy. 'Tain't

diately being obliged to seek other society than that of the old

but was so much more silent than was her wont that the old wo

matter, honey?" she asked solicitously. "Yuh got

sted her arms on the table and hid her face in them that P

"Tell yo' ole Mammy all about it. Wha'

eyes. "Oh, Mammy, I can

yuh mean, chile?" she asked

ou know I cannot blame my brother, but if he had only left a little, ju

how yuh stan's, hone

id try, you know I did, while Martin lived, I tried to be patient and good. It hurt more than anyone knew when he brought home a silly pretty girl to take my place, to show a petty jealousy of me. You know how I used to delight in saving that I might buy something for Christmas or birthdays that he particularly wanted. Every little possession meant some sacrifice, and when, one by one, all the little treasured things that I had

I knows." Phebe

onderful brother to give me a home, to support me. She never ceased to praise him for what she told him was his great unselfishness. She never ceased to put me in the light of a dependent who had no real right to what he gave. It used to be share and share alike, Mammy, and M

n dere grabes ef yuh does dat. Ain't it yo' home 'fore it hers? Ain't yo' gran'dad

parcel in it except what he chose to leave me. Poor dear Mart, he was so blind, he thought never was such a wife as Grace; he couldn't see that she worked steadily, cleverly, cunningly all the time to build a barrier between us, to chain him fast, to

mmy, rocking back and forth, t

y kind elder sister. That is the way it looked to him. He couldn't see through her little deceits. How could he know that her smiles covered a jealous, grasping nature? How could he know that six months after he left us she w

troof?" eja

t was for my sake as well as her own, and that she thought I would be much happier if I were to make myself entirely independent, all with that solicitous manner

he old woman gravely. "But lemme tell yuh right

e in alarm, "Master Mart wo

kon she think I 'bleedged to stay? No, ma'am, dat she don't. 'Sides, honey, I reckons by dis time de angels done cl'ar yo' brudder's eyes o' de wool what been pull over de

ce on Phebe's shoulder and was patted gently with many soothing words of,

ristmas and Phillips will manage the place. I haven't told you yet what I mean to do. I had a letter to-day from Mr. Willis and he thinks

up in

ary department, and I shall

ssed her disdain. "W

o board somewhe

'din' in a common bo'din' house, 'thout no lady to give her countenance an' make it p

anywhere, certainly not near enough for me to invite myself to their homes. I can't afford a chaperone, and

it ain't fittin' an' proper fo' one of de fambly

princess. We've got to face facts-plain, every-day facts. I must make my living, and I am

t seriously over the situation for some minutes. "If yuh goes, I goes," at last she reiterated. "Miss Ri Hill she tell me laughin' like, mo' times d

nspiration. She is the very one. Perhap

an Miss Ri. She yo' ma's bridesmaid, an' yuh always gre't fav'ite o' hers. Dat mek it cl'ar

ty soon,

lly and am so glad you can take pleasure in outside things, for of course I couldn't expect you to appreciate my loneliness, a young girl like you is always so buoyant." A plaintive sigh followed, as Grace Talbot turned to go. She was a fair, plump young woman with an appealing express

ill the parlor was reached. Here an open fire was burning dully, for, though it was early fall, the evenings were chill even in this latitude, and Grace was a person who loved warmth. Creature comforts meant much to her, a certain chair,

d closed her eyes. "Linda, dear," she said, "would you mind seeing if there is more

red the fire and started a cheerful blaze, then sat down

resently, stretching herself like some

raveyard," repli

e not the same. I saw you talking to Phillips. I am glad to know that you can still take an interest in the place, but as for me it is too sad to talk over those things which were always a concern of my dear hu

Linda; "but I would advise you to rouse yourself to

ng soon?" asked Gra

refrained. "I think so," she answered. "I will tel

You must consider that I have my own arrangements to make and

" returned Linda stoutly. Here Phebe came in